Paddy Power transgender ad banned
Bookmaker Paddy Power ad featuring transgender people has been banned by the advertising watchdog – the brand’s second campaign to be censored in 2012.
The banned TV ad aired in February asked viewers to ‘spot’ transgendered people featured in the ads. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled the ad should be withdrawn because it was “likely to cause serious offence” and “condone and encourage discriminatory behaviour.”
The ad provoked almost 100 complaints to the ASA and a campaign by gay newspaper Pink News, which said the ads ‘dehumanised trans people.’
The ban comes after broadcasters Channel 4 and BSkyB already took action to pull the ads following complaints.
Paddy Power said the ads contained ‘adult humour aimed at an adult audience’ and it was ‘saddened’ some viewers were offended, which was not its intention.
The ruling is the second against the bookmaker so far this year after an ad featuring Liverpool footballer Luiz Suarez was banned as he is under 25 and advertising code rules gambling campaigns must not feature people in a dominant role under that age.
